Oxford Pilgrimage photos: Mass

On Saturday we had the LMS Oxford Pilgrimage, with a Solemn Mass in the Dominican Rite. The celebrant was Fr Richard Conrad OP, the deacon Fr Thomas Crean OP, and subdeacon Br Gregory Pearson OP. In accordance with Dominican custom, there was no MC. The acolytes were Dominican students of the Oxford community.


This Mass did not disapoint. The ceremonies were performed with great precision and harmony, and it was truly wonderful. There were a great many differences between the Dominican and Roman Rites in Solemn Mass, which are fascinating; many of the Dominican usages reflect practices which were common also to Gallican and Sarum Rites, and would have been familiar in Medieval England.

The Rite has a special beauty of its own. I particularly like the way the acolytes interact with the Sacred Ministers, as above and elsewhere.


During the Epistle, the celebrant and deacon are given a piece of fabric to rest their hands on. I have only seen this before at a Pontifical Mass.




Preparing for the Gospel.


The Gospel








The Kiss of Peace, using a silver Pax.


Ecce Agnus Dei, with a houseling cloth.




When the celebrant turns to address the congregation, as above, the deacon lifts the bottom of his chasuble.


At the end of Mass the celebrant blessed a processional statue of Our Lady of Walsingham, which we used in the procession.



More photos here

The Pilgrimage was wonderful, and I will write more soon. In the meantime, have a look at the Reluctant Sinner, and the Clever Boy, who were there; so, in fact, were Juventutem London and Juventutem Oxford!